One killed, another injured in elephant attack in Odisha’s Bargarh

A villager was killed and another severely injured in two separate incidents of elephant attack in Gaislet block in Odisha’s Bargarh district.

The deceased has been identified as Shankar Pradhan of Kandagada village under Gaislet block of the district.

According to reports, 45-year-old Shankar was killed in elephant attack while he had gone to collect forest produce from a nearby forest today.

In a separate incident, 50-year-old Bidyadhar Sahu of Bheluapadar village under Gaislet block has sustained critical injuries after being attacked by elephants in the forest. Bidyadhar, who had gone to the forest on Saturday, had not returned home.

Villagers who had gone to the forest to search for the two, found Shankar dead and Bidyadhar critically injured. Bidyadhar has been shifted to VIMSAR, Burla and is undergoing treatment, the report added.

Notably, an 18-member herd of elephants has unleashed terror in Gaislet area. Locals had a dispute with local Forest department officials seven days back over the driving away of the elephant herd.